Stuffed Toy With Simulated Heartbeat and Method of Making Same

ABSTRACT

There is provided a stuffed toy with a simulated, illuminating heartbeat and a method of making thereof. An individual, or an assistant thereof, is provided with an empty, sewn fabric skin, a simulated heartbeat device, and a supply of stuffing material. The simulated heartbeat device has at least one light source and an optional heart-shaped design on one side. At least one battery holder on the opposite side contains at least one replaceable battery for energizing the light source. The individual, or an assistant therof, removes an insulating tab from the heartbeat device, energizing the light source and producing an illuminated light. After filling the toy with stuffing material, the individual, or an assistant thereof, places the heartbeat device inside the stuffed toy near the skin of the chest area. The individual, of an assistant thereof, then closes the rear opening. In appropriate lighting conditions and with appropriate placement within the fabric skin, the light from the heartbeat device is visible through the fabric skin, simulating the heartbeat of a stuffed toy.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/780,160 entitled, “Stuffed Toy With Simulated Heartbeat and Method of Making Same,” filed on Mar. 8, 2006, in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention. The present invention relates generally to stuffed toys, and, more specifically, to a stuffed toy with a simulated, illuminating heartbeat, and a method of making thereof.

Description of the Related Art. Toys of many kinds have included lights for entertaining or other special effects. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,886 to Josephine Wood discloses a stuffed bulldog toy with a battery powered, squeeze operated light in one of its front feet. The light is operated by raising the light supporting foot and squeezing it to energize the light. The toy dog includes lights on a neck collar that flash when a control circuit in the toy body is triggered. A flashing light is also located on the tip of a helmet on the dog's head.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,888 to Worsham discloses a scarecrow doll having battery-powered lights in several of its parts. By manually operating various switches on the body of the doll, both visual and audible indications are produced. Lights in the doll's eyes are operated by pulling the upper lip of the doll to activate a switch in the mouth, or by pulling the nose of the doll to activate a switch in the nose.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,263,743 to Steven Hanson discloses a skull-shaped novelty toy. The skull has a pair of light bulbs mounted into eye sockets. Reflectors are rotatably mounted in the eye sockets and surrounding the light bulbs. The reflectors are connected by a gear train to a manually operated gear that provides rotation to the reflectors. The reflectors include colored lenses that may be rotated in front of the light to provide a varying appearance to the skull. The lights are connected to a battery through a switch mounted in the housing. The switch has a plurality of positions that produce alternate lighting or flashing effects to the toy.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,638 to Trevor Ward discloses a removable light and sound module for dolls. The module is contained within a housing that clips to the back surface of a doll toy figure. A battery operated electronic circuit in the housing produces audible sounds in response to a button-operated switch. When the sound circuit is energized, light-emitting diodes connected to the sound circuit will flash. A cape attached to the doll includes a reflective surface facing the light-emitting diodes that reflects the flashing light produced by the diodes, thereby providing an amusing visual effect.

While the foregoing described toys employing lights in various ways have provided some increased entertainment and amusement value and have, in some instances, enjoyed a measure of commercial success, there remains nonetheless a continuing need in the toy art for evermore improved and interesting plush toys and the like. While the foregoing described toys may be suitable for the particular purposes that they address, they are not suitable for the purposes of the present invention as hereinafter described.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the invention, a child is provided an empty, sewn fabric skin, a simulated heartbeat device, and a supply of stuffing material. The simulated heartbeat device has a light-emitting diode and a heart-shaped design on one side. A battery holder on the other side contains a replaceable battery for energizing the light-emitting diode. The child, or an adult assisting him, removes an insulating tab from the heartbeat device energizing the light-emitting diode, which produces a flashing red light. After filling the toy with stuffing material, the child places the heartbeat device inside the stuffed toy near the skin of the chest area. The child or adult assistant then closes the rear opening. In appropriate lighting conditions and with appropriate placement within the fabric skin, the flashing light from the heartbeat device is visible through the fabric skin, simulating the heartbeat of a stuffed animal or doll.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a stuffed toy that a child can easily assemble. It is another object of the invention to provide a stuffed toy that includes a heartbeat simulated by a flashing or non-flashing light internal to the toy that may be visible through the skin of the toy. Other objects of the invention are apparent from the following description of an example embodiment of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following Detailed Description of an Example Embodiment of the Invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a stuffed toy of the present invention having a simulated heartbeat device embedded therein.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the stuffed toy of FIG. 1, showing the opening through which the simulated heartbeat device is inserted.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a simulated heartbeat device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the simulated heartbeat device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the filling opening portion of the rear of the stuffed toy, showing the simulated heartbeat device being placed into the toy.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the stuffed toy of FIG. 1 after insertion of the filling and the simulated heartbeat device, prior to closure of the outer zipper.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a stuffed toy according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention and its advantages are best understood by referring to the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. In FIG. 1 there is shown the front view of a stuffed toy, generally designated 10, according to an example embodiment of the invention. Stuffed animal 10 is formed by filling a sewn fabric skin 11 with a resilient material such as polyester-cellulose fibers alone, or along with polystyrene beads or other stuffing materials (not shown). When filled, it creates a three-dimensional soft and resilient representation of an animal, such as a dog (illustrated), a teddy bear (not illustrated), or the like.

Simulated heartbeat device 12 is placed inside the chest area near the front surface of the toy along with the stuffing material. Heartbeat device 12 emits a flashing light that simulates the heartbeat of the toy. With appropriate placement and materials, the flashing light is visible from the outside of the toy through the fabric skin 11 and stuffing material.

In use, the empty fabric skin 11 is provided to a child, with a supply of stuffing material and a simulated heartbeat device 12. Referring to FIG. 2 and 3, the back of the stuffed toy 10 is provided with a filling opening 14, having an inner zippered pouch 16. The child first fills the empty fabric skin 11 with filler material. The child then removes the removable tab 28 by gripping the grip portion 34 and pulling it away from the simulated heartbeat device 12. This energizes the light-emitting diode 17. Once energized, the simulated heartbeat device is inserted into the stuffed toy 10 and positioned in the chest cavity adjacent to the fabric skin 11. This placement allows the resulting light to emanate from the fabric skin 11.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, heartbeat device 12 has a light-emitting diode 17 on its front face in the center of a heart design 18. When energized, the light-emitting diode 17 produces a slowly flashing or continuously illuminated red light. The heart design 18 is red in color and, in various embodiments of the invention, is applied to the heartbeat device 12 by printing, by etching, or by the application of an adhesive label or sticker to the surface of the heartbeat device 12.

The battery holder 20 is affixed to the back side of the heartbeat device 12. A coiled spring 22 is affixed to the heartbeat device 12 inside the battery holder 20. The spring 22 is electrically conductive and is attached at its lower end to a light-emitting diode 17. The battery 24 is disposed proximate the spring 22 within the battery holder 20. A removable tab 28 is inserted through a slot 30 in the battery holder 20. The narrow portion 32 of the tab 28 is placed between the battery 24 and the spring 22 in order to electrically insulate the spring 22 from the battery 24. Therefore, the light-emitting diode 17 is not energized by the battery 24 when the tab 28 is in place. The cap 26 threadably attaches to the battery holder 20, and retains the battery 24 within the battery holder 20. When the cap 26 is installed on the battery holder 20, the spring 22 is compressed against the removable tab 28.

When the child is ready to insert the heartbeat device 12 into the stuffed toy 10, he, or an adult assisting him, removes the tab 28 from the heartbeat device 12 by pulling on its grip portion 34. Removal of the tab 28 places the battery 24 into electrical contact with the spring 22. This in turn electrically energizes the light-emitting diode 17, causing it to begin visibly flashing on the front face of the heartbeat device 12. The frequency of the flashing approximates the heartbeat rate of the toy. The child then places the illuminated heartbeat device 12 through the filling opening 14 and into the stuffed toy 10, as seen in FIG. 5. He places the heartbeat device 12 near the skin 11 of the chest area of the stuffed toy 10, as seen in FIG. 1.

The child, or adult assistant, then closes the inner pouch 16 and pushes it inside the outer zippered closure 36, as seen in FIG. 6. The inner zippered pouch 16 is not required. If present, it prevents a child from later removing the filler material by simply unzipping the outer zippered closure 36. Finally, the outer zippered closure 36 is closed, completing the process of making the stuffed toy 10. The flashing light emanating from the heartbeat device 12 within the stuffed toy 10 is then visible from the front of the stuffed toy 10, through its fabric skin 11.

In one example embodiment of the invention, the simulated heartbeat device 12 is manufactured by Chengdu Eastsun International Co., Ltd. Hong Kong Eastsun International Co. as part number 08050001. The battery 24 is a 3-volt lithium button cell, as commonly used in many digital watches.

Advantageously, the heartbeat device 12 or its battery 24 is easily replaceable after the initial making of stuffed toy 10. The installations process may be reversed should a person desire to restart the stuffed toy's heartbeat after a battery has discharged. To install a replacement battery the person unzips outer zippered closure 36, then pulls out and unzips the inner zippered pouch 16. He then reaches through the filler material and removes the heartbeat device 12. He then removes the cap 26 and replaces the battery 24 in the battery holder 20. He then replaces any filler material that was removed and closes the inner zippered pouch 16 and the outer zippered closure 36, completing the remaking of the stuffed toy 10. The entire heartbeat device 12 may be replaced by following the same steps enumerated above. Instead of replacing the battery the individual will completely remove the current heartbeat device 12 and insert a different device 12.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the stuffed toy 10 has no inner pouch 16, and the filler material and simulated heartbeat device 12 are inserted into the stuffed toy 10 directly through its zippered closure 36.

Referring to FIG. 7, in another alternative embodiment of the invention, a chest pocket 38 is sewn or affixed on the inside of the fabric skin 11. The simulated heartbeat device 12 is placed in the chest pocket 38. The chest pocket 38 retains the heartbeat device 12 adjacent to the fabric skin 11 to maximize the visibility of the flashing light through the fabric skin 11, and to prevent the heartbeat device 12 from leaving the front chest area of the stuffed toy 10. The battery holder 20 is remote from the heartbeat device 12, and is placed in the inner pouch 16. A wire 40 connects the battery 24 in the battery holder 20 with the heartbeat device 12. Advantageously, this embodiment of the invention facilitates the replacement of the battery 24. To replace the battery 24, the individual need only open the outer zippered closure 36, and need not search through the filling of the stuffed toy 10 for heartbeat device 12.

In another alternative embodiment of the invention, the simulated heartbeat device 12 includes a non-flashing light source (not illustrated) instead of the flashing light-emitting diode 17. In a further embodiment, the heartbeat device 12 includes a thumping-generating device (not shown) instead of a light-generating device. This device would provide a tactile sensation to mimic a beating heart. In another embodiment of the invention, the heartbeat device 12 includes a sound-generating device (not shown) instead of a light-generating device. This device will produce audible heartbeats to aid in the enjoyment of the stuffed toy 10. In a still further embodiment of the invention, the heartbeat device 12 includes a vibration-generating device (not shown) instead of a light-generating device. In still further embodiments of the invention, the heartbeat device 12 includes a device or devices for generating a combination of light, thumping, sound, and/or vibration.

It should be noted that it is not necessary for the successful practice of the invention that the light, thumping, sound, or vibration be detectable or readily detectable from the outside of the stuffed toy after installation. The experience of providing an operational element in the toy body by a user is considered a desirable aspect of the invention, because of the user's knowledge that the heartbeat device is operational within the body of the stuffed toy.

Although the present invention is described and illustrated herein as it might be applied to a stuffed animal, it will be understood that the invention can be practiced with any stuffed toy, such as a baby doll.

The stuffed toy with a simulated, illuminating heartbeat and the method of making thereof of the present invention, and many of its intended advantages, will be understood from the foregoing disclosure and description, and it will be apparent that, although the invention and its advantages have been described in detail, various changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made in the manner, procedure, and details thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims, or sacrificing any of its material advantages. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents. 

1. A stuffed toy comprising: a skin defining an inner cavity; stuffing provided in said inner cavity; said skin comprised of a material that allows at least partial light transmission through said skin; at least one light source placed within said cavity; and said light source arranged sufficiently close to said skin to allow light to emanate from said skin when said light source is illuminated.
 2. The stuffed toy of claim 1, further comprising: a power source contained in said inner cavity; and said power source providing power to said light source.
 3. The stuffed toy of claim 2 wherein: said power source is contained in a housing; and at least one replaceable battery is removably disposed in said housing.
 4. The stuffed toy of claim 2, wherein said light source is placed proximate an area of said stuffed toy corresponding to a chest cavity.
 5. The stuffed toy of claim 2, wherein said light source is intermittently operable.
 6. The stuffed toy of claim 2, wherein said light source includes a heart design.
 7. The stuffed toy of claim 2, further comprising: an openable and closeable aperture provided in said skin.
 8. The stuffed toy of claim 2, further comprising: a second cavity contained within said skin; said light source contained in said inner cavity; stuffing contained in said inner cavity; and said power source contained in said second cavity.
 9. The stuffed toy of claim 8, further comprising: an openable and closeable aperture provided in said second cavity.
 10. A stuffed toy comprising: a skin defining an inner cavity; said skin having at least one aperture; said at least one aperture selectively openable and closeable; material fixedly attached about the periphery of said material proximate an area of said stuffed toy corresponding to a chest cavity to define a semi-enclosed interior space; at least one light source removably disposed in said semi-enclosed interior space; said skin comprised of a material that allows at least partial light transmission through said skin, whereby light emanates through said skin when said light source is illuminated; and stuffing provided in said skin.
 11. The stuffed toy of claim 10, further comprising: a power source contained in said inner cavity; said power source providing power to said light source; and said power source comprising at least one replaceable battery.
 12. The stuffed toy of claim 11 wherein: said power source is contained in a housing; and at least one replaceable battery is removably disposed in said housing.
 13. The stuffed toy of claim 11, wherein said light source is intermittently operable.
 14. The stuffed toy of claim 11, wherein said light source includes a heart design.
 15. The stuffed toy of claim 11, further comprising: a second cavity contained within said skin; said light source is removably disposed in said semi-enclosed interior space; stuffing contained in said inner cavity; and said power source contained in said second cavity.
 16. The stuffed toy of claim 15, further comprising: an openable and closeable aperture provided in said second cavity.
 17. A method for constructing a stuffed toy containing a simulated heart comprising the steps of: providing a skin, said skin comprising a material at least partially allowing light transmittal therethrough; defining at least one openable and closeable aperture in said skin; inserting at least one light source in said skin through said closeable aperture; activating said at least one light source; inserting at least one light source in said skin through said aperture; inserting a stuffing material through said aperture; arranging said light source proximate said skin; and closing said aperture.
 18. The method for constructing a stuffed toy containing a simulated heart of claim 17 wherein said step of inserting at least one light source in said skin through said aperture occurs after said step of inserting stuffing material through said aperture. 